Lynch, Michael The Chinese Civil War 1945-49

Between the end of World War II and the dawn of the Cold War, one of the most important conflicts in modern history reached its climax. In this illustrated history, bestselling historian Dr Michael Lynch examines how the long struggle between Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists and Mao Zedong's Communists exploded into an intense, brutal and ruthlessly fought civil war. Delving into the political background and complex ramifications of the conflict, he assesses Mao and Chiang's millions-strong armies, their strategies and commanders, and the critical campaigns that won and lost China. By 1949 the Nationalist government was defeated and in exile in Taiwan, and the new People's Republic of China was ready to emerge as a major Cold War power.
Updated and revised for the new edition, with full-colour maps and new images throughout, this is a concise study of one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century and its significant repercussions, the issues around which remain unresolved today.

It looks at the political background and complex ramifications of the conflict, assessing Mao and Chiang's armies of millions, their strategies and commanders, and the decisive campaigns that determined victory and defeat in China. By 1949, the Nationalist government had been defeated and was in exile in Taiwan, and the new People's Republic of China was poised to emerge as a major power in the Cold War.
This updated and revised new edition, with colour maps and new illustrations throughout, is a concise study of one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century and its significant consequences, the questions of which remain unresolved to this day.